Family Activities in and around Portland With a Ford Escape

When planning a family-friendly adventure in the Portland area, choosing the perfect vehicle can make all the difference. The Ford Escape is an excellent option for families looking to travel safely and in style to the many family-friendly destinations in and around Portland. With its spacious seating, ample cargo space, and advanced safety features, the Escape is the perfect SUV for exploring Portland’s natural beauty and cultural offerings. From waterfalls to museums, gardens, and more, the versatility of the Ford Escape can transport families to all of their desired adventures.

Oregon Zoo

The Oregon Zoo is an ideal destination for families looking for an entertaining and educational day trip in Portland. There are a variety of different animal exhibits, shows, and activities that will keep everyone engaged and learning throughout their visit. As a family-friendly attraction, the zoo ensures that visitors and animals alike are safe, creating a relaxed environment for all. The affordability of admission tickets also makes it an accessible option for families looking for fun outings on a budget. Furthermore, the zoo is located conveniently in Portland, making it easy to access with your Ford Escape and combine with other city attractions.

Visitors can see other fascinating animals like river otters and beavers playing in their natural stream habitat, tigers lazing around in their enclosures near Discovery Plaza, energetic Rocky Mountain Goats wandering through Cascade Crest, and primates swinging through the treetops in Primate Forests. The Insect Zoo invites visitors to take a close-up look at many different insect species, including butterflies and spiders, while also learning about their unique characteristics and role in the ecosystem. The Cascade Stream and Pond habitat offers an opportunity to observe the playful otters, the dutiful beavers, and plenty of beautiful birds.

Parents can make the visit even more engaging for their kids by participating in some of the zoo’s interactive activities. These include feeding sessions for certain animals, animal encounters and behind-the-scenes tours that provide a closer look at the care and management of the zoo’s animals. Furthermore, visitors can attend different keeper talks throughout the zoo, where they can learn about various topics regarding specific animal types.

The Ford Escape is an affordable, starting at $28k, family SUV with seating for five and there is plenty of space in the back to toss a cooler for a picnic lunch if you want to take advantage of the nearby park on your Zoo Visit

Powell’s Books

Powell’s Books is one of the largest independent bookstores in the world, located in downtown Portland. It spans an entire city block and includes over one million new and used books of all genres, ranging from bestsellers and new releases to rare and antique volumes. It’s known for its iconic 3-floor flagship store and has been a staple of Portland’s downtown cultural scene for many years.

Powell’s Books offers an immersive experience that can be enjoyable for the whole family. Kids can have fun browsing through the extensive children’s book section while adults can find their favorite books and explore new authors. Additionally, Powell’s frequently hosts author readings, book clubs, and other events, which are great for families looking to connect with other book enthusiasts in the area.

The bookstore’s aesthetic is also part of what makes it such a popular destination. With its tall shelves full of books stretching from floor-to-ceiling, cozy seating areas, and charming reading nooks, Powell’s has a relaxing atmosphere that encourages visitors to take their time browsing and exploring.

Powell’s Books is easy to access with a Ford Escape as well. There is parking nearby the bookstore. Overall, Powell’s Books is a must-visit destination for families visiting or residing in Portland, who are looking for a unique and cultural experience. If you end up buying a bunch of books, and it’s likely you will, the Ford Escape has 37 square feet of storage in the back, but if you need more you can put the back seat down to push it up to 65 square feet!

OMSI

OMSI stands for the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, and it is an interactive science museum located in Portland. It’s one of the leading science museums in the United States and has been educating visitors of all ages since its opening in 1944. The museum features a variety of interactive exhibits and activities designed to teach scientific concepts while keeping visitors engaged and entertained.

OMSI has something for everyone in the family. Kids can discover hands-on exhibits that explain everything from physics concepts to environmental science while adults can learn about current scientific research occurring around the world or participate in maker labs. Families can take part in numerous activities such as planetarium shows, science demonstrations, and live lab experiences. The museum even features the Empirical Theater, which showcases science-related documentaries, as well as popular and classic movies suitable for all ages.

OMSI is also well-known for its engaging special events such as science fairs, food lab partnership events with well-known chefs, and rotating exhibits inspired by important historical scientists. It’s a great place to visit multiple times throughout the year since there are always new exhibits and programs to explore.

With ample parking at an affordable rate and a convenient location near downtown Portland, OMSI is easily accessible by car, including by a Ford Escape. Overall, OMSI offers a great family-friendly trip with opportunities to learn, explore and have fun together.

The area around OMSI can sometimes get a little busy, and parking might be a challenge to find. Fortunately, the Ford Escape comes with features that help you comfortably and safely maneuver obstacles you may face. The Pre-collision Assist helps if someone pops out in front of you unexpectedly by helping you with braking, The Rear View Camera makes those tricky parallel parking spots a breeze, and the Evasive Steering Assist is there to help you if you need a little extra support getting back on the road.

Lan Su Chinese Garden

Lan Su Chinese Garden is an authentic Chinese garden located in the heart of Portland, Oregon. It was built in 2000 as a collaboration between the cities of Portland and Suzhou in China, with the mission of creating a bridge between Chinese and American cultures.

The garden itself is a true oasis within the city, offering visitors tranquility and serenity. It’s considered to be one of the most authentic Chinese gardens outside of China, and features architecture, flora, and fauna that are true to traditional Suzhou-style Chinese gardens.

Walking through Lan Su Chinese Garden is a beautiful experience as visitors can see and learn about different elements of Chinese culture, including various plants, sculptures, rocks, and water features that all have symbolic meanings. Additionally, visitors can participate in guided tours that teach about the significance behind each element of the garden.

Various family-friendly activities are also offered throughout the year, including cultural performances, seasonal celebrations, workshops, and classes on topics such as Chinese painting and calligraphy, tea ceremonies, and crowd-favorite dragon boat displays at their annual Lotus Festival.

Lan Su Chinese Garden also has exhibits and educational programs that reflect the ancient history of China allowing families to learn about the deep roots that lead to current-day cultures.

Visiting Lan Su Chinese Garden is easy for those traveling in a Ford Escape as there are several nearby parking options. Overall, the garden is a unique and educational family-friendly destination that offers a glimpse into Chinese culture and is recognized as a peaceful retreat in downtown Portland.

Depending on where you are coming from you might run into a bit of traffic, or have some issues getting off on the best exit. With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in your Ford Escape, you will have no problem using your favorite GPS app to help you find the best way to get to these beautiful gardens.

Conclusion

Lan Su Chinese Garden offers an immersive look into Chinese culture and history through its detailed architecture, flora and fauna. OMSI is an interactive and engaging science museum where children and adults can learn about science and technology while having fun. Powell’s Books is an iconic bookstore that offers a charming atmosphere in which families can discover new reads, participate in events or enjoy delicious coffee. Finally, the Oregon Zoo, features exhibits of various animal habitats from all over the world, including special attractions such as animal encounters, feeding sessions, and keeper talks.

All of these trips are easy to access with a Ford Escape, giving families plenty of room for passengers and their needed equipment. These trips offer a diverse range of activities and experiences that bothentertain and educate the whole family while making memorable experiences that will last a lifetime.

The team here at Dick Hannah Ford knows that family is important and we want to make sure that you are yours have the best experiences possible. Our amazing team here is always happy to share some of their favorite spots. Swing by our lot in Sandy, OR and tell us about your adventures and while you are here take a test drive in the new Ford Escape.